Spring structure



May 12, 1931. STACKHOUSE 1,804,821

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed July 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1931- G. A. sTAcKHousE 1,804,821

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed July 5. 1 29 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 1 A M V 4 3 1 1'5 41 i a!" 1= 5 4 i 1 1 I I u INVENTOR Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE L sTAcKHOUsE, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO L. A. YOUNG SPRING & WIRE CORPORATION, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN SPBIN G STRUCTURE Application filed July 5,

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved spring unit adapted as a filler for mattresses or cushions which is quite uniformly resilient through out.

Second, to provide a spring structure or unit of this class which is very economical to produce both in the matter of parts and the assembly thereof and one in which the body springs are supported so that they are effectively maintained in upright position, at

the same time presenting a uniformly yieldcal section corresponding to line 22 of Fig.

1, no attempt being made to maintain the relative proportion of the parts.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the body springs.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a preferred form of border and cross tie spring employed by me.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a slightly modified form of border and cross tie member in which the coils are in contactrelation. ig. 6 isa fragmentary vertical section of a modified form or embodiment of my invention in which the border members are formed of wire as distinguished from coiled springs.

Referring to the drawings, my improved spring cushion unit or structure comprises a plurality of helically coiled body springs 1, those illustrated being of the hour-glass type. The end coils 2 of these body springs are provided with loop-like offsets 3 disposed in vertical alinement. The ends 4 of the top coils terminate in inwardly facing hooks 5 engaged with the top coils and when these hooks are closed, as will be later described,

1929. Serial No. 376,131.

constitute knots or ties 41 for the end coils. These springs are arranged in rows with the corresponding springs of the rows in transverse alinement. I provide side walls 6 and cross walls 7 which may be formed of burlap or other comparatively cheap material. These walls are provided with pockets 8 in their longitudinal edges, the pockets being formed by hemming or folding the edges of the walls upon themselves and stitching.

In the pockets of the side walls I arrange border coils 9, the ends of which are secured together by clips 10, thereby making a continuous flexible border. In the pockets of the 'cross walls I provide cross tie members 11. 5

These border members and cross tie members are preferably formed of helically coiled springs, the springs being open as shown at 12 in Fig. 4, although very satisfactory results may be had with the coiled springs 13 in which the coils are closed or are in contacting engagement as shown in Fig. 5.

The body springs in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are arranged so that the hooks 5 of opposite outer rows may be clamped upon the border members. The hooks 5 of interme diate springs are clamped upon the enclosed cross tie members so as to engage the loops 3 of the adjacent row of springs so that the hooks form the multiple function of tie mem- 30 bars for the end coils, clips for securing the adjacent springs together, securing the springs to the cross ties and border members and securing these parts to the wall members.-

With this arrangement of parts the loops 5 3 of adjacent rows of body springs are brought into opposed relation, and these loops and the tie wires are secured by means of clips 14. Additional clips 15 are provided for securing the outer springs to the border members.

With the open coils as shown in Fig. 4 the clips and hooks in clamping or closing are drawn between the coils of the tie and border wires so that longitudinal slippage of the parts is effectively prevented. Further, the projection of the clamping parts is lessened. v In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the border members 16 are formed of wire.

This provides a structure with a stiffer edge. The side and cross walls are of such width that the body springs are held under initial tension, checking in a considerable degree the rebound, and, also, a much more uniform structure can be provided than would otherwise be possible. These side and cross walls also serve to largely eliminate noises as they present a fabric surface to the metal and are important in holding the springs in upright position;

Structures embodying my improvements are particularly well adapted for use in mattress cushions ,of the pillow type and for automobile seat cushions and upholstery. The structures are very economical, both in the matterof parts and assembly.

I have not in the accompanying drawings attempted to illustrate various modifications and adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A spring unit comprising helically coiled body springs, the end coils of which are provided with alined loop-like offsets and terminate in inwardly facing hooks disposed opposite the loops and engaged with the end coils to constitute ties therefor, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs of the several rows in transverse alinement, side members of flexible material provided with longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, helically coiled spring border members arranged in i, 'said pockets, cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, helically coiled spring cross tie members arranged in said pockets, the coils of said border and cross tie members being spaced, the opposite outer rows of the body springs having their hooks disposed outwardly and clamped upon the enclosed border members, the hooks of the intermediate rows of body springs being engaged with the enclosed cross tie members and the loops of adjacent rows, and clips engaging adjacent loops and the coacting cross tie members, said clips and hooks engaging between coils of the border and cross tie members.

2. A spring unit comprising helically coiled body springs, the end coils of which are'provided with alined loop-like offsets and terminate in inwardly facing hooks disposed opposite the loops and engaged with the end coils to constitute ties therefor, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs of the several rows in transverse alinement, side members of flexible material 'providedwith longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, border members arranged in said pockets, cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, cross tie members arranged in said pockets, the opposite outer rows of the body springs having their hooks disposed outwardly and clamped upon the enclosed border members, the hooks of the intermediate rows of body springs being engaged with the enclosed cross tie members and the loops of adjacent rows, and clips engaging adjacent loops and the coacting cross tie members.

3. 'A spring unit comprising helically coiled body springs, the end .coils of which are provided with alined loop-like offsets and terminate in inwardly facing hooks disposed opposite the loops and engaged with the end coils to constitute ties therefor, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs of the several rows in transverse alinement, side members of flexible material provided with longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, helically coiled spring border members arranged in said pockets, cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, and helically coiled spring cross tie members arranged in said pockets, certain of the outer body springs having their hooks clamped upon the enclosed border members, the books of the other body springs being engaged with the enclosed cross tie members and the loops of cally coiled spring border members arran ed in said pockets, cross members of flexi le material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets in their top and bottom edges, and helically coiled spring cross tie members arranged in said pockets, certain of the outer body springs having their hooks clamped upon the enclosed border members, the hooks of the other body springs being engaged with the enclosed cross tie members and the loops of adjacent body springs.

5. A spring structure comprising body springs, the end coils of which terminate in inwardly facing hooks engaged with the end coils to constitute ties therefor, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs of the several rows intransverse alinement, side members of flexible material provided with longitudinal pockets, helically coiled spring border members arranged in said pockets, cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets, and helically coiled spring cross tie members arranged in said pockets, the coils of said border and cross tie members being spaced, certain of the outer body springs having their hooks clamped upon the enclosed border members, the hooks of the other body springs being clamped upon the enclosed cross tie members and engaging the clamped upon the border members, the hooks of other of the body springs being clamped upon the cross tie members and engaging the loops of adjacent body springs, and clips engaging adjacent loops and clamped upon the coacting cross tie members. said clips and hooks engaging said coils of the border 7 and cross tie members.

7. In a spring structure, the combination of body springs, the end coils of which terminate in books, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs of the several rows in transverse alinement. side members of flexible material provided with longitudinal pockets at their edges, cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets at their edges, and border and cross tie members arranged in said pockets, certain of the outer body springs having their books clamped upon the enclosed border members, the hooks of the other body springs being clamped upon-the enclosed cross tie members and adjacent springs, the body springs being held normally under initial compression by means of said flexible side and cross members.

8. In a spring structure, the combination of body springs, the end coils of which terminate in hooks, said body springs being arranged in rows with corresponding springs ofthe several rows in transverse alinement, side members of flexible material provided with longitudinal pockets at their edges,

cross members of flexible material arranged between the rows of springs and having longitudinal pockets at t eir edges, and border and cross tie members arranged in said pockets, certain of the outer body springs having their hooks clamped. upon the enclosed border members, the hooksof the other body springs being clamped upon the enclosed cross tie members and adjacent springs.

Inwitn'ess whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE A. STACKHOUSE; 

